7.1.2: Abiotic factors
Not started yet — this one needs some love.
Abiotic factors: non-living factors which can affect a community.
Light intensity can affect photosynthesis and the distribution of plants.
Temperature can affect organisms in a community.
Moisture levels can affect organisms in a community.
Soil pH and mineral content can affect plant growth and distribution.
Wind intensity and direction can affect organisms in a community.
Carbon dioxide levels affect plants.
Oxygen levels affect aquatic animals.
Common exam mistakes
Do not include food, predators or disease as abiotic factors; those are biotic factors.
If writing about soil, "nutrients" is often too vague; name mineral ions if the question needs detail.
A data answer needs both the trend and the factor, for example fewer organisms where oxygen is lower.
Avoid saying a factor "helps growth" without linking it to a process such as photosynthesis or respiration where relevant.